Clip-slide depressor



Dc.2,1958 A} L. BALL 2,862,324

CLIP-SLIDE DEPRESSOR Filed Aug. 4, 1955 mmvroa. ALBERT L. BALL BY 4 M W orne y.

2,862,324 CLIP-SLIDE DErREssoR Albert L. Ball Worcester, Mass. Application August 4, 1955, Serial No. 526,475 1 Claim. 01. 42 -50 The invention of the present application relates to reloadable cartridge clips andis particularly concerned with a device for making the reloading of such clips easier and more convenient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for depressing the slide of a cartridge clip to permit the loading of cartridges into such a cli Another object of the present invention is to provide a clip-slide depressor of the character described which is of simple construction and is inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a clip-slide depressor of the character described which isadapted to be used with clips from pistols of a number of different makes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a clip-slide depressor of the character described which may be conveniently carried by the user and may be quickly applied to and removed from a clip.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide means for permitting the loading of cartridge clips without tiring the finger and hand muscles and causing soreness of the fingers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a durable, light weight instrument of the character described.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be "apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a conventional pistol cartridge clip with a clip-slide depressor according to the invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 showing the clip-slide depressor moved downwardly to compress the spring of the cartridge clip;

Figures 3, 4 and 5 are side, front and rear views, re-

spectively, of a clip-slide depressor according to the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a top plan view of the depressor shown in Figures 3-5, inclusive.

Automatic pistols are designed to carry cartridge clips in the stocks thereof. Such clips serve as magazines and are designed to hold a number of cartridges which are fed to the firing chamber of the pistol a required. A typical cartridge clip of the type described is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing and is designated generally by the reference numeral 11. The clip 11 comprises an elongated body portion 12 and a base plate 13 which closes the lower end thereof. The plate 13 is secured in place by crimping or in other suitable manner.

The body portion 12 of the cartridge clip 11 is substantially rectangular in cross section and has, arranged for longitudinal movement therein, an internal slide (not shown) against which the first cartridge loaded into the clip rests. A coiled spring 14, mounted within the clip body 12 between the base plate 13 and the slide, resiliently resists downward movement of the slide within the nited StatesPatent O, Y'

body portion 12 of the 1 lowered against the resistance of the spring 14 as the Patented Dec. 2, 1958 A depressor button or pin16 carried by the slide (not shown) projects from one side of the clip body portion 12 through a longitudinal slot 17 formed in theside.

Y In loading the clip -11-with cartridges it has hitherto been necessary to depress the slide therein by finger pressure against the button or pin 16. Since the latter is necessarily small in size so as not to interfere with insertion of the clip into the stock of a pistol and since the slide of the clip must be, progressively and carefully cartridges are inserted, one by one, into the clip, it is evident that the loading of a cartridge clip is uncomfortable and that after loading several clips the fingers of the'user become very sore and the finger and hand is, ofcourse, of great importance since these conditions sor of the present invention, permits the loading of cartridge clip's without the difliculties previously encountered. Referring to Figures 3 6, inclusive, in which an embodiment 20 of the slide depressor is illustrated, it will be seen that the main portion thereof is C-shaped incross section and adaptedjtoembracea cartridgeclip. The main portion cornprises a front 21 sides 22 and flanges 23 which are turned inwardly at the rear edges of theside's 22, substantially parallel to the front 21. Extending downwardly from the front 21 is a thumb or finger rest 24 that is hereinafter referred to merely as a thumb rest since it is usually conveniently engaged by the thumb. The lower portion of the thumb rest 24 is curved and projects forwardly from the main portion of the depressor 20. A slot 26 is formed in the thumb rest 24. At one end this slot extends slightly into the lower portion of the front 21. At its other end it extends'into the outwardly curved portion of the rest 24. The corners of the latter are, as shown, preferably rounded.

As shown in Figure l the clip-slide depressor 20 of the present invention may easily he slipped over the open end of a cartridge clip 11 with the upper end of the slot 26 of the depressor engaging the pin or button 16 of the slide (not shown) within the clip. The clip may then be grasped with one hand in any convenient way while the clip-slide depressor 20 is pulled longitudinally of the clip 11 against pressure of the spring 14 by the thumb or a finger of that hand on the thumb rest 24. Cartridges can then be easily and quickly inserted in the upper end of the clip by the other hand. After the clip is loaded the clip-slide depressor is removed therefrom. The clip is then available for insertion in the stock of a pistol when needed.

It is clear that clip-slide depressors according to the present invention will be inexpensive to produce. Preferably, they are manufactured by stamping and forming sheet metal, the process required being obvious to those skilled in the art from the illustration and description herein. Any metal of suitable properties may be used although aluminum has been found satisfactory and convenient. Die-cast metal can, however, be used for forming the present novel clip-slide depressors or, if desired, I

prevents difli-culty with the usual tendency of the car- I tridges to assume an improper position in the clip. The

ease with which clips may be loaded also makes more feasible the use of full clips in shooting. Because of the,

modified form. For example, the relative dimensions of" the parts are subject to variation so that clips for cartridges" of various calibers and clips for guns of various makes can be fitted. Furthermore, if desired, the open slot between the flanges 23' can be obstructed by a finger, rib or the like adapted to engage a slide depressor button or pin or the flanges 23' can be formed of such length as to substantially meet and have portions cut out' of the lower parts of their contiguous edges so as to provide a slot similar to the slot 17. When thus modified, the depressor may be applied with the thumb rest 24' on whichever side of the clip is most convenient. A depressor could, of course, be provided with two oppositely placed thumb rests, but this would add to the bulk thereof.

interpreted broadly as permitted by the appended claim. Thus, for example, since cartridge clips are also used with many rifles it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to clip-slide depressors for use with automatic pistols or hand guns.

I claim:

A clip-slide depressor longitudinally slidable on a cartridge clip which comprises a main portion having a front and a thumb rest, said front having a longitudinal slot therein adapted to engage and depress an outwardly projecting pin carried by the slide of a cartridge clip upon movementof said depressor longitudinally of said clip,

. the major portion of said main portion being above said slot and being G-shaped in. cross section with sides terminating in inwardly directed flanges whereby to engage all sides of said clip and thus hold said depressor against lateral displacement from said clip in any direction and guide it during longitudinal movement thereof on said It will, therefore, be understood that the invention should not be considered as limited by the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, but should be clip, and said thumb rest projecting outwardly from said depressor below said clip embracing portion and being manually engageable to move said depressor longitudinally on said clip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I-Iufl Nov. 22, 1938 2,403,012 McPheters July 2, 1946 2,514,277 Donnallan July 4, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 293,152 Switzerland Dec. 1, 1953 

